Can Cord Blood Transplants Cure AIDS?

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals is currently conducting a Phase II clinical trial to treat HIV patients using gene therapy in conjunction with an autologous stem cell transplant. Thermogenesis 2004 annual report (see p.5) states they have joined a consortium headed by Dr. Mary Laughlin applying for a Gates Foundation grant to use cord blood transplants to treat HIV. Note that 80% of AIDS patients lack a matched sibling, and treatment by cord blood transplantation is likely to be less expensive than lifelong use of the AIDS drug cocktail.